Crest Quandary: Repeal Median Ordinance or Face Referendum?

WILDWOOD CREST – In a 2-to-1 vote recently, Wildwood Crest Commissioners approved a plan to repave Pacific Avenue and put in median strips in the section of road that is four lanes wide.
In September, discussion of the proposed medians drew an overflow crowd to the small courtroom where the commission meets.  The debate showed a town split over the desirability of the change and advisability of using bond funds to pay for it.
Following the split decision, a group of residents opposed to the plan initiated a petition process seeking to have it rescinded before work could begin. There were 152 signatures necessary, representing 15 percent of voters in the last election; the petition committee turned in 201.
It took two attempts to meet the technical requirements for format and presentation of the petition, but those opposed to medians persisted. A proper petition was received by the clerk Nov. 12 and formally accepted Nov. 16. The commissioners acknowledged acceptance of the petition at their Nov. 18  meeting.
The governing body has 20 days to decide to repeal its earlier decision or put the matter to the voters in a special election. The commissioners agreed to a special meeting Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m. to make their decision.
If a special election is necessary, it would have to be scheduled between Jan. 13 and Feb. 1 with voters deciding if the ordinance including the median work is to be repealed.
Mayor Carl Groon estimated an election would cost around $17,000.
Those that turned out for the earlier discussion on the proposed action expressed strong sentiments for and against the plan.
For some, medians would beautify a street that otherwise says little positive about the borough. They argued that the four-lane road is not needed and that reducing the street to two lanes would improve safety and reduce speeding in the area.
The frequent comparison was to Central Avenue in North Wildwood. Groon indicated that members of the planning board saw the improvement as something that would help boost property values along the road.
Those against medians also cited safety as an issue, but argued that the medians would hinder safety by causing blind spots and making entry to the road by residents living on it more dangerous.
They also argued that it was folly to give up a four-lane road on the busiest thoroughfare in the borough. Predicting traffic bottlenecks in the summer, they also feared excess traffic would be pushed to other borough streets by the change.
Medians are part of an overall $2.7-million project to repave and refurbish the road. Commissioner Joyce Gould voted against the ordinance Oct. 6 because she objected to the $500,000 part of the project that would install the medians.
She found them too costly and unnecessary. Groon and Commissioner Don Cabrera voted for the Pacific Avenue ordinance.
The nature of the petition and the possibility of a special election place the entire road project in jeopardy since repeal of the decision to install medians would necessitate a repeal of the ordinance.
Groon replied in the affirmative when asked if repeal would mean that the borough would be back to square one with respect to the entire road enhancement plan.
The overall project, including repaving of the road surface, was scheduled to begin in December, but will be stalled while the petition process plays out.
The project includes utility improvements, road surfacing, concrete work, and, of course, the medians.
The Dec. 4 meeting will come with one day left in the 20-day period within which the governing body is required to render a decision.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.